| Mountain Biking
Mountain bikers are a lucky lot in Toronto, not only can you mountain bike in the city, but the biking is really excellent! Again, it's the ravines that have it, particularly the Don and the Humber Valley.You'll find all kinds of riding (except for extended downhills of course) from single track to double track to technical climbs and knarly descents. You'll even find the makings of some "North Shore" nasties scattered about. In the outlying areas there are a lot more places to ride, such as the trails at Albion Hillls , Kelso and Ganaraska Conservation Areas. There are also some excellent privately owned areas such as the Mansfield Outdoor Center and of course Hardwood Hills. |
|
| The last five to
ten years has seen the ski hills make a real push
in the area of trails development. The world
class resort at Blue Mountian is one example,
while Boler Mountain provides ski hill trails in
an urban setting. Further afield you'll find
excellent biking at the Haliburton center which
offers lots of other interesting outdoor
activities as well. Of course if you're looking for easy
riding you'll find lots of that too along the
endless paths through the more civilized areas in
the ravines, along the lakeshore and on Toronto
Island.
|
|
- Don Valley - 10km, Beginner-Expert. The trails are in the section of the Don Valley Ravine that stretches from the Don Valley Brickworks in the south to Thornhill Park in the north. There are some good sections of single track and the sides of the ravine offer some interesting climbs and descents. Some north shore style elements have been built in some areas, some are pretty good and some suck. Don't ride these trails when it's wet. You can access the area from several points including the Mount Pleasant Cemetery and Bayview and Pottery Road. Toronto, Toronto Region, Ontario
- Etibicoke Creek - 18km, Beginner-Expert. The trails are south of the airport along the ravine in Centennial Park and the northern Markland Woods. There's a fair bit of single track and some technical stuff. Follow Burhampthorpe Road to Ponytrail Drive then head north and turn on Rathburn Road and follow it to the end.
- Humber Valley - 20km+, Beginner-Expert. The main trail section is at Thackery Park at Steeles north of the 401 but there are trails throughout the ravine from north to south. You can access the Thackery Park trails from Kipling at Steeles.
- Taylor Creek - 10km, Beginner-Expert. The trails are similar to its connected cousin, the Don Valley trail system, but have some unique variations. You can access the trails from the Don Valley. Toronto, Toronto Region, Ontario
- Blue Mountain - About 2hrs from Toronto. Lots of trials with more nearby at the Home Farm trail network. Take the 400 north to Barrie and exit to highway 27, take the 26 east passed Collingwood about 11km to Blue Mountain Road and the resort. Restaurants and accommodations are available at the resort. North Central Region, Ontario
- Boler Mountain - 12km, Not a lot of trials but some very good riding. The hill has races every year. London, Southwestern Ontario, Ontario
- Dagmar - Beginner-Expert, About 40 minutes from Toronto. Lots of good riding with some really challenging single track and some north shore elements. Take the Harwood exit at Ajax, follow highway 2 to Lakeridge Road and watch for the sign. There is camping available onsite. South Central Region, Ontario Closed!
- Dundas Valley Conservation Area - 40km, Beginner, Intermediate. Mostly wide paths but the escarpment ensures there are some good climbs and descents.
- Durham Forest - 16km, Beginner-Expert. The forest offers lots of variety and lots of trails that should keep you busy for a long while. Take the 401 to Pickering where you pick up the Brock Road north to Durham Road 21 which brings you to sideroad 7, where you head east to the forest.
- Ganaraska Forest - 12km , (100km+ of combined trails), Beginner, Intermediate, Durham Region, From the 401 take the 115 north until you reach road 9. Watch for the sign for the forest. Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority. South Central Region, Ontario
- Glen Major - 14km, Beginner-Expert, From Toronto take Brock Road to Myrtle, follow Myrtle until Balsam, head north on Balsam to Glen Major. There are no signs so keep you're eyes open for the blocks that prevent vehicles using the entrance.
- Hardwood Hills - 75km, Beginner-Expert. A wide range of well built and maintained trails. There are accommodations and a bike shop as well as rentals. From the 401 take the 400 north, take exit 111east on Doran Road. Watch for Edgar which will take you to the center. North Central Region, Ontario
- Haliburton Forest - 300km, Beginner-Expert, Rentals. There's just about every type of riding here and with 300km of trails it will keep you grinning for a week.The trails are in a forest of over 50,000 acres. This area is a real keeper. Store, Restaurant and Accommodations.There is camping on site.
- Kelso Conservation Area - Mostly intermediate with some beginner and advanced riding but lots of single track. Haliburton Region Conservation Authority From the 401 take highway 25 north to Road 9 west then head south on Road 22 to the conservation area.
- Mansfield Outdoor Center - 30km, Beginner-Expert. From the 401 take highway 400 north and exit at highway 89 west. Take Dufferin Road 18 north to the center. Camping available on site. Closed to the public, open for events!
The Ravines
Toronto's ravines offer the best of off road cycling with paved paths or crushed stones you can easily ride a hybrid or road bike in most areas. Consult the online map for all of the different routes. Another interesting ride is the Beltway which has connections into the ravine trail system. With the extensive network of ravines and connecting trails, cycling to work is a great option for many people in the city.
The Water Front Trail
This ambitious project to reclaim the Ontario waterfront from Niagara to Quinte West (and it doesn't look like it will stop there) provides some excellent cycling areas in Toronto and Mississauga and beyond. Check out the link to the Waterfront Trust to get more information.
Brown's Sports
& Cycle
2447 Bloor St. W.
Toronto, ON, M6S 1P7
